A healthy diet has been shown to be one of the most important factors in the prevention of and the recovery from breast cancer. It is very effective in supporting the body’s immune system that destroys cancer cells and also many plant foods actually contain nutrients that have been shown to slow the replication of cancer cells, and inhibit the spread of cancer.

For this reason a variety of vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices and legumes is recommended. Organic food is preferable when available and pure mineral water in glass bottles reduces exposure to xnoestrogens from plastic containers. Avoiding or limiting exposure to harmful chemicals from skincare and household cleaning products as well as pesticides, hormones and other toxins in some foods will mean the body’s detoxification ability will be strengthened. Liver detoxification can be supported with specific foods and supplements.

Cooking methods are important, as meats cooked at high temperatures produce carcinogens called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) that appear to initiate and promote cancer growth as well as cancer spread with oestrogen-like effects. HCAs also found in cigarette smoke. The body’s detoxification systems can get eliminate these toxins with the right nutrients and but it would be better to limit or avoid them.

Certain foods and lifestyle factors have been shown to be especially protective and these include:

· Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil (omega 6 and lignans). Flaxseeds contain precursors to lignans that are activated by beneficial gut bacteria. Lignans can dampen the effects of oestrogen in the body and have been shown to be protective. Flaxseeds have been shown to slow breast cancer progression by blocking inflammatory IL1.

· Fibre to feed healthy gut bacteria and control enzyme glucuronidase (that unbinds oestrogen the liver is trying to eliminate which is reabsorbed into body). Taking probiotics is recommended for the same reason.

· Melatonin is protective and so adequate sleep is important (cherries contain it).

· Alcohol has been shown to be a risk factor with the exception of red wine possibly due to the antioxidant resveratrol that may suppress a cancer-promoting enzyme. Strawberries, pomegranates and white mushrooms have same protective effect.

· Regular exercise – walking at a moderate pace for an hour a day is sufficient to lower circulating oestrogen. Rebounding on trampoline supports lymphatic detox.

· LDL cholesterol may play a role in development and progression of breast cancer. Cancer cells appear to use cholesterol to fuel growth so controlling LDL cholesterol is important as it controlling blood glucose levels another fuel for cancer.

· Cruciferous vegetables boost the activity of detoxifying enzymes in the liver.

This is very significant because when eaten with cooked meat for example they help reduce effects of damaging HCAs as well as enhancing liver function. Broccoli, collard greens, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and kale are some of them.

· Broccoli sprouts are exceptionally beneficial and other cruciferous vegetables have been shown to suppress the ability of cancer stem cells to form tumours

· Garlic, onions and leeks contain very protective sulphur compounds involved in detoxification of oestrogen and also support the immune system